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Posted: 7/26/2016 11:51:36 AM EDT
[#1]
Quoted:
Has anyone piecds together their own lightweight piston system? I have an Ares kit that is collecting dust, so I figured I'd take a whirl at building a lighter weight and lower recoil piston gun. The general thought is to use a lightweight carrier with something like an Adams Arms piston gas key, an adjustable gas block, a hollow buffer and stand back and see what happens. The Ares Defense carrier is specifically designed to match the length of their Op Rod. If you substitute someone else's carrier into the system make sure all the dimensions are correct for gas key alignment and Op Rod to key clearance. The Ares system is a very short throw piston. |
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Posted: 7/26/2016 12:11:56 PM EDT
[#2]
Excellent point. I'll have to measure for any differences between the Ares carrier and my home ground lightweight one.
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Posted: 7/27/2016 12:54:49 AM EDT
[#3]
I have a light weight piston kit 14.5 that weighs in at around 5 lbs 6 oz. It's about as light as you can go for a piston system with keymod handguard without putting carbon. Superlative arms kit.
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Posted: 7/27/2016 6:56:02 AM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I have a light weight piston kit 14.5 that weighs in at around 5 lbs 6 oz. It's about as light as you can go for a piston system with keymod handguard without putting carbon. Superlative arms kit. What kind of hand guard did you end up going with? I was considering the BCM KMR but don't know if the piston is going to fit under the rail. |
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Posted: 7/29/2016 2:26:39 PM EDT
[#5]
Just a small update as parts tickle in over the next few days.
My gas key arrived today, so I was able to get it fitted up to my lightweight carrier.  As suggested, I did check out the differences in the locations of the strike surface on the carrier and found they are slightly different, so we'll see what happens with that and if I need to shave a bit off the front.  |
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Posted: 7/30/2016 3:27:12 AM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
What kind of hand guard did you end up going with? I was considering the BCM KMR but don't know if the piston is going to fit under the rail. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I have a light weight piston kit 14.5 that weighs in at around 5 lbs 6 oz. It's about as light as you can go for a piston system with keymod handguard without putting carbon. Superlative arms kit. What kind of hand guard did you end up going with? I was considering the BCM KMR but don't know if the piston is going to fit under the rail. I used the attached piston kit under a bcm kmr but I needed to sand down my screws slightly or it didn't fit without touching underneath. I really like your setup. Which strike key did you end up going with? I was thinking about doing it this way to shed some weight but I got hesitant because I heard they break off. |
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Posted: 7/30/2016 7:21:26 AM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I used the attached piston kit under a bcm kmr but I needed to sand down my screws slightly or it didn't fit without touching underneath. I really like your setup. Which strike key did you end up going with? I was thinking about doing it this way to shed some weight but I got hesitant because I heard they break off. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Quoted: I have a light weight piston kit 14.5 that weighs in at around 5 lbs 6 oz. It's about as light as you can go for a piston system with keymod handguard without putting carbon. Superlative arms kit. What kind of hand guard did you end up going with? I was considering the BCM KMR but don't know if the piston is going to fit under the rail. I used the attached piston kit under a bcm kmr but I needed to sand down my screws slightly or it didn't fit without touching underneath. I really like your setup. Which strike key did you end up going with? I was thinking about doing it this way to shed some weight but I got hesitant because I heard they break off. I used the Adams Arms key. There's a stud on the bottom that goes into the gas port on the top of the carrier that takes the force instead of the screws. I think the reason they usually break off is some don't have this stud and the screws can't take that much shear load.  |
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Posted: 7/30/2016 7:17:21 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I used the Adams Arms key. There's a stud on the bottom that goes into the gas port on the top of the carrier that takes the force instead of the screws. I think the reason they usually break off is some don't have this stud and the screws can't take that much shear load. http://media.midwayusa.com/productimages/880x660/Primary/391/391745.jpg Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I have a light weight piston kit 14.5 that weighs in at around 5 lbs 6 oz. It's about as light as you can go for a piston system with keymod handguard without putting carbon. Superlative arms kit. What kind of hand guard did you end up going with? I was considering the BCM KMR but don't know if the piston is going to fit under the rail. I used the attached piston kit under a bcm kmr but I needed to sand down my screws slightly or it didn't fit without touching underneath. I really like your setup. Which strike key did you end up going with? I was thinking about doing it this way to shed some weight but I got hesitant because I heard they break off. I used the Adams Arms key. There's a stud on the bottom that goes into the gas port on the top of the carrier that takes the force instead of the screws. I think the reason they usually break off is some don't have this stud and the screws can't take that much shear load. http://media.midwayusa.com/productimages/880x660/Primary/391/391745.jpg let us all know how it goes with that carrier. It's Faxon right? I was thinking about trying it with a v7 to carrier, but Faxon would be my next thought. Adams arms might even be good of I get a different op rod for the sup arms kit and sand it down just a bit. |
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Posted: 7/30/2016 7:45:48 PM EDT
[#9]
I manufacture bcgs, so the carrier is one of my own
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Posted: 7/31/2016 8:06:00 AM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
Has anyone pieced together their own lightweight piston system? I have an Ares kit that is collecting dust, so I figured I'd take a whirl at building a lighter weight and lower recoil piston gun. The general thought is to use a lightweight carrier with something like an Adams Arms piston gas key, an adjustable gas block, a hollow buffer and stand back and see what happens. If you want to build a light weight piston upper just use this.....https://youtu.be/Cy5XLr3igaU Mixing parts from one system to another can cause things to break, don't ask me how I know, let's just say I know. Be safe. The SA kit adds only an ounce or two over a DI build. Much lighter than any other system except for SYRAC. |
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Posted: 7/31/2016 11:30:28 AM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted: If you want to build a light weight piston upper just use this.....https://youtu.be/Cy5XLr3igaU Mixing parts from one system to another can cause things to break, don't ask me how I know, let's just say I know. Be safe. The SA kit adds only an ounce or two over a DI build. Much lighter than any other system except for SYRAC. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Has anyone pieced together their own lightweight piston system? I have an Ares kit that is collecting dust, so I figured I'd take a whirl at building a lighter weight and lower recoil piston gun. The general thought is to use a lightweight carrier with something like an Adams Arms piston gas key, an adjustable gas block, a hollow buffer and stand back and see what happens. If you want to build a light weight piston upper just use this.....https://youtu.be/Cy5XLr3igaU Mixing parts from one system to another can cause things to break, don't ask me how I know, let's just say I know. Be safe. The SA kit adds only an ounce or two over a DI build. Much lighter than any other system except for SYRAC. I would use theirs, but they don't offer a lightweight carrier. I do like though that they offer kits for different length gas systems. |
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Posted: 7/31/2016 9:07:45 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I would use theirs, but they don't offer a lightweight carrier. I do like though that they offer kits for different length gas systems. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Has anyone pieced together their own lightweight piston system? I have an Ares kit that is collecting dust, so I figured I'd take a whirl at building a lighter weight and lower recoil piston gun. The general thought is to use a lightweight carrier with something like an Adams Arms piston gas key, an adjustable gas block, a hollow buffer and stand back and see what happens. If you want to build a light weight piston upper just use this.....https://youtu.be/Cy5XLr3igaU Mixing parts from one system to another can cause things to break, don't ask me how I know, let's just say I know. Be safe. The SA kit adds only an ounce or two over a DI build. Much lighter than any other system except for SYRAC. I would use theirs, but they don't offer a lightweight carrier. I do like though that they offer kits for different length gas systems. Well you did say you manufacture carries. |
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Posted: 7/31/2016 10:01:28 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I manufacture bcgs, so the carrier is one of my own Could you just lighten the Ares carrier then? If it works out well, maybe offer it as a service. |
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Posted: 8/1/2016 8:28:39 PM EDT
[#14]
Right? I'd pay for money for a lightweight piston carrier that weekend for the syrac and Superlative and setup.
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Posted: 8/1/2016 8:32:26 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Right? I'd pay for money for a lightweight piston carrier that weekend for the syrac and Superlative and setup. Well, I can certainly consider it once I get mine working. My SLR gas block came today, now I just have to wait for Ballistic Advantage to send me the right barrel, so I can assemble it all to check for clearance issues with the KMR rail and the Ares piston kit. Any thoughts on turning the gas way down when running my lightweight carrier and taking the weights out of the buffer? |
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Posted: 8/1/2016 10:33:57 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Well, I can certainly consider it once I get mine working. My SLR gas block came today, now I just have to wait for Ballistic Advantage to send me the right barrel, so I can assemble it all to check for clearance issues with the KMR rail and the Ares piston kit. Ares still sells their piston kits?? Any thoughts on turning the gas way down when running my lightweight carrier and taking the weights out of the buffer? Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Right? I'd pay for money for a lightweight piston carrier that weekend for the syrac and Superlative and setup. Well, I can certainly consider it once I get mine working. My SLR gas block came today, now I just have to wait for Ballistic Advantage to send me the right barrel, so I can assemble it all to check for clearance issues with the KMR rail and the Ares piston kit. Ares still sells their piston kits?? Any thoughts on turning the gas way down when running my lightweight carrier and taking the weights out of the buffer? |
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Posted: 8/3/2016 6:17:15 PM EDT
[#17]
Quoted:
Has anyone pieced together their own lightweight piston system? I have an Ares kit that is collecting dust, so I figured I'd take a whirl at building a lighter weight and lower recoil piston gun. The general thought is to use a lightweight carrier with something like an Adams Arms piston gas key, an adjustable gas block, a hollow buffer and stand back and see what happens. Do they still sell the Ares kit? I'm curious as to how much it weighs and what kind of handguard can fit under |
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Posted: 8/5/2016 5:56:46 PM EDT
[#18]
The Ballistic Advantage barrel finally came in today.
When I went to put everything together with the Ares Piston kit and the KMR rail, there were some major fitment issues. I'm either going to have to switch piston system's or change to a different rail. |
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Posted: 8/5/2016 6:45:30 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted: How bad was it? My Superlative arm kit fits perfect under the KMR. It's tight fit but doesn't touch. The clamp on version needs a SLIGHT dremelling to the screws to not touch the rail. This is what I have on my 5 lbs 14.5 pin/weld lightweight piston with 13" rail. https://s31.postimg.org/y50kwdm1n/Lr_Mobile1005_2016_1014920074000191735.jpg Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: The Ballistic Advantage barrel finally came in today. When I went to put everything together with the Ares Piston kit and the KMR rail, there were some major fitment issues. I'm either going to have to switch piston system's or change to a different rail. How bad was it? My Superlative arm kit fits perfect under the KMR. It's tight fit but doesn't touch. The clamp on version needs a SLIGHT dremelling to the screws to not touch the rail. This is what I have on my 5 lbs 14.5 pin/weld lightweight piston with 13" rail. https://s31.postimg.org/y50kwdm1n/Lr_Mobile1005_2016_1014920074000191735.jpg The piston doesn't fit in the gas tube channel and the barrel nut would need some work to clear the op rod spring. I might have to give the SA kit a try. Is there any noticeable reliability or recoil differences between the carbine length and the mid-length system? |
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Posted: 8/5/2016 8:18:28 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The piston doesn't fit in the gas tube channel and the barrel nut would need some work to clear the op rod spring. I might have to give the SA kit a try. Is there any noticeable reliability or recoil differences between the carbine length and the mid-length system? Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
The Ballistic Advantage barrel finally came in today. When I went to put everything together with the Ares Piston kit and the KMR rail, there were some major fitment issues. I'm either going to have to switch piston system's or change to a different rail. How bad was it? My Superlative arm kit fits perfect under the KMR. It's tight fit but doesn't touch. The clamp on version needs a SLIGHT dremelling to the screws to not touch the rail. This is what I have on my 5 lbs 14.5 pin/weld lightweight piston with 13" rail. https://s31.postimg.org/y50kwdm1n/Lr_Mobile1005_2016_1014920074000191735.jpg The piston doesn't fit in the gas tube channel and the barrel nut would need some work to clear the op rod spring. I might have to give the SA kit a try. Is there any noticeable reliability or recoil differences between the carbine length and the mid-length system? honestly I can't really tell a difference. However I prefer the mid length. I'm using a Taccom 1oz buffer I hollowed out to about .9oz and a Wolff reduced power spring with the settings turned down. I called SA today and apparently they're going rk be releasing their lightweight piston carrier here within a few months (before end of year). |
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Posted: 8/18/2016 3:13:42 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The Ballistic Advantage barrel finally came in today. When I went to put everything together with the Ares Piston kit and the KMR rail, there were some major fitment issues. I'm either going to have to switch piston system's or change to a different rail. How bad was the fitment and where did it occur? I was thinking maybe slight dremelling may help depending o. The clearance issues. |
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